RIP Herb Kelleher

The founder of Southwest Airlines passed away last week:

Herb Kelleher, the eccentric founder of Southwest Airlines who helped revolutionize low-cost air travel, died Thursday. He was 87. 

The company announced his passing in a statement that described Kelleher as a "pioneer, a maverick, and an innovator." The cause of death was not disclosed.

"His vision revolutionized commercial aviation and democratized the skies," the company said. 

"Herb's passion, zest for life, and insatiable investment in relationships made lasting and immeasurable impressions on all who knew him and will forever be the bedrock and esprit de corps of Southwest Airlines."

Legend states that Kelleher and pilot Rollin King met at a restaurant one night in the 1960s and drew Southwest's original route map - a triangle connecting Houston, Dallas and San Antonio - on a cocktail napkin. It's an awesome story, even if it might not be completely true. What is true is that other airlines rightfully felt threatened by what was at the time a revolutionary business model. Even though Southwest was incorporated in 1967, litigation kept it from flying until 1971:

Kelleher was a young lawyer living in Texas before leaving his firm to start Southwest in the 1960s with the goal of providing low-cost transportation among Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. But then-competitors Braniff, Trans Texas, and Continental Airlines fought to keep his startup out of the skies with a temporary restraining order.

Kelleher personally fought the ban, without charging a penny in legal fees, all the way to the Supreme Court of Texas, which eventually ruled in favor of Southwest.

The company, which has become known for its lack of seating assignments and all-coach cabins, began flying in 1971. It evolved into a driving force in the airline industry with routes all over the United States.

Southwest is now the third-largest airline in the United States, in terms of passengers carried, and currently flies to 99 destinations in 11 countries or territories.

"I knew nothing about airlines, which I think made me eminently qualified to start one because what we tried to do at Southwest was get away from the traditional way that airlines had done business," he told NPR's Guy Raz in 2016. "I think that was very helpful."

Kelleher served as Southwest's executive chairman from March 1978 until May 2008 and as president and CEO from September 1981 through June 2001, according to the company. He held the chairman emeritus title at the time of his death. 

"His vision for making air travel affordable for all revolutionized the industry," Southwest chairman and CEO Gary Kelly said in a statement. "But his legacy extends far beyond our industry and far beyond the world of entrepreneurship. He inspired people; he motivated people; he challenged people—and, he kept us laughing all the way."

USA Today's Ben Mutzabaugh lists five innovations that Kelleher's airline introduced to US air travel. Many of these have been adopted by other carriers, both in the United States and abroad.